Channel Marker Restaurant, Atlantic Beach NC, Reopens After Recovering From Hurricane Ophelia

The Channel Marker Restaurant in Atlantic Beach, a perrenial favorite among residents and visitors alike, is scheduled to reopen on Dec 1 2005, after nearly three months of complete remodeling due to damage caused by hurricane Ophelia. While much of the Crystal Coast escaped serious damage, one of the Channel Marker Restaurant's most endearing characteristics, it's northeast view of Bogue Sound and the State Port in Morehead City, exposed it to the very worst of Ophelia's 30 hour pounding.

The storm utterly destroyed the large outdoor deck/dinig area, severely damaged the roof, and nearly obliterated the sound side wall to the dining room. Flood waters came through the entire building about 18 inches deep. Even the parking lot was heavily damaged from the surging waves, and riprap from the seawall was found pushed up against the earthen base of the foot of the Atlantic Beach-Morehead City Bridge behind the building. Employees arriving the day after the storm found as near a total loss as could be had while the building still stood.

The cleanup began almost immediately, as anything salvageable was quickly cleaned and moved upstairs or into portable storage units brought to the parking lot. Everything that could be saved had to be cleaned two to three times due to the salt water exposure. Many fixtures were simply beyond repair and had to be discarded and eventually replaced. Much of this initial work was done by employees; waiters, cooks and host staff became salvors, carpenters, and cleanup crew. While early estimates were optimistic, it quickly became apparent that the project would take much longer than a few weeks. Ed Myers, managing partner told me, "Every time we exposed an area, we discovered damage that was not apparent on the surface. This is the reason that the project took so long to complete. The good news is, that the restaurant we are reopening, is better both structurally and aesthetically, than it has ever been."

Before After

When the restaurant reopens on December 1st, it will feature a new, brighter look as sand colored walls have replaced the old dark paneling. The barroom has been enlarged, and the new outdoor deck features an outdoor bar in a new location, closer to the front door, so that patrons in the occasional summertime waits can enjoy their favorite beverage more easily on the waterfront deck. This new look will change the entire feel of the outdoor area, making it less a waiting area / walkway and more a waterside lounge.

Channel Marker Management is also pleased to announce an updated menu, with many new items, as well as all your traditional favorites. Winter specials will continue, with Monday and Wednesday nights offering Senior Specials, Tuesday will become sandwich night, with prime rib sandwiches, burgers, and of course shrimp and oyster sandwiches. Thursdays will be shrimp night, with ten delicious wild shrimp items at $9.95 each. Any of these nights will have the regular full menu available as well.

Your friends and neighbors at the Channel Marker Restaurant hope to welcome you back this December. Christmas parties are being booked daily, and it's not too late to book your company or family get together. Reservations and up to the minute questions can be had by calling 252-247-2344.

Read A Review of the Channel Marker Restaurant

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